BAPTISM
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."
​
[Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213]
​
You care for your child's physical and emotional needs because you are good parents; and as Christian parents you care for your child's spiritual needs by presenting your son or daughter for Baptism. This sacrament marks the start of the Christian life and membership in God's Church. Jesus Christ gave us Baptism from the water that poured out from his pierced side on the cross - this sacrament shows us just how much God loves us and wants us to belong to Him. The effects of Baptism are profound and eternal.
When a person is baptized, he or she is:
​
-
Made a new creation, an adopted son or daughter of God, who has become partaker of the divine nature. – CCC 1265
-
A member of the Body of Christ, the Church. – CCC 1267
-
Freed from the power of darkness and is brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God. – CCC 1250
-
Able to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues; Given the power to love and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Helped to grow in the goodness through the moral virtues. – CCC 1266
Baptism at
Saint Bernadette
If you are looking for baptism for your newborn, congratulations! We are so happy that God has blessed your family with new life and cannot wait to welcome your child into God's family of the Church.
For adults or children over the age of 7 interested in baptism, we are so excited to journey with you, too! Please check out our RCIA page for more information.
REQUIREMENTS:
​
-
Parents must be willing to bring their child up in the Catholic faith and attend Sunday Mass weekly. Baptism is the beginning of divine life within the soul, it must be nurtured!
​
-
Parents and godparents must participate in a short preparation program led by other members of the parish. Please contact the parish office to make arrangements.
​
CHOOSING GODPARENTS:
​
-
​Must be a good example and support for both the child and the parents.
​
-
Must be a registered member of a Catholic parish who is at least 16 years old and has received the sacrament of Confirmation.
​
-
Must be actively living the Catholic faith, attending Mass weekly and going to confession regularly. Must be either a single person living a chaste lifestyle or a married person in a sacramental, Catholic marriage.
​
-
Only one Catholic godparent is required.
​
​
Does it matter who you choose to be your child's godparents? YES!!
​
People often want to ask their best friends or favorite relatives to act as Godparents for their children; they usually do this as a way of honoring someone. Of course, we all would like to honor those who are dear to us, but the Baptism of your child may not be the right time to do so.
​
Would you ask your best friend to perform heart surgery on your child? Of course not, unless he/she were a competent heart surgeon. So if the role of Godparents is to help the parents to raise the child in the good practice of the Catholic faith, then it stands to reason that you should ask someone who shows by their own knowledge and practice that they can help someone else follow in their footsteps.
​
Helping a child become a good Catholic Christian in an important undertaking; it is therefore, equally important to ask someone who regularly prays with the community at Sunday Mass and, who in other ways practices his/her faith and shows commitment to Christian values.
​
None of this is to suggest that your dear friends or relatives are not good people. They will surely be with you to help you in many other ways. But, a teacher of mathematics may not be a good teacher of English grammar and a good friend or close relative may not be the best model of Catholic Christian practice.
​
If you value your faith, you will choose the best teachers to help you pass that faith onto your children.
​
*Taken from Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Godparent (Sponsor) Agreement, September 2005
Learn More